still scratching

ive cut the kicker down so it dosnt sit as high, it works well as a bottom bait rig aswell, if the palm test is anything to go by it flips instantly. i think myles gasgoine used a variation with stiff rig material almost the same as the hsr but with a bent hooklink section.

very good newmarket,should of expected it really. i take it its not a trout fishery anymore then, used to be a couple of good carp in there, rob used to let me fly fish it but was never allowed to fish for the carp. try farriers on the cwp, long wating list id of thought.

just out of interest whats happend to rooksbury mill in andover, used to work there as a nipper?

the shrink tube version needs steaming and reshaping after each fish also the crays seem to enjoy chewing it, the kickers seem more hardwearing and are already in the shape i want. its much less complicated than the hsr(less components). tbh been off work today after running full pelt into my bedchair and knackering my leg, so been tying rigs that ill probably never use.

use the ruler app on google earth to work out sizes

ive been playing around with a different pop up presentation, hsr seems to be gettin used more n more so fancied a change, i needed the eye to go through the ace sit up and beg kicker but the opposite way round. managed to get the gardner size 4 chod to fit by bending the eye straight and adding a bit of shrink tubing.

just ordered the super specialist barbels, they look like what im after, cheers.

size 4 idealy, this is where im struggling. didnt think about spades tbh. also need a wide gape. the gardner chod hooks perfect but the eyes to big.

can anyone recommend a straight shank,straight point hook with a small eye, the small eyes the the main feature im looking for,the smaller the better really,cheers.

just as youve typed that ive been doing exactly the same, 9 different tubs of pop ups, i only use 1 type of pop up and have done for a year or so, even then i prob use 2 hookbaits per session, i must like the rythmic rattling sound they make. glugged cork balls, scopex squid,scopex squid red, scopex squid black, the krill, dairy cream, devils dung n cheese, pineapple n nbuteric, bp plus. just brought another 3 tubs today.

deli counter fishing, take a ticket and join the queue, youl get what you want in the end.

half term weeks are allways busy,theres normaly spaces on hardwick though. tbh its all part of the linear experience, asking people when there leaving and putting buckets in swims ready for when they leave, not my cup of tea but each to there own.

it fishes better through the week due to less angler pressure if you can get down there then, if you read the catch reports it seems like all the linear lakes fish well all the time but for the amount of people fishing to fish caught ratio its not as prolific as it seems, as said above no need to start changing bait/rigs, fish with what your confident with and itl happen for you.

knotless knot and outturned eyes for me too,i use this setup for all bottom bait presentations,i cant remember the last time i lost a fish on this setup,stiff riggers or continentals are perfect for this imo. ive never liked the look of some of these rigs with the reduced gape, they obviously catch fish but is it in spite of or because of.

krimps all the way for me theres no knot that comes close to this. any knot on flouro drops the breaking strain instantly. its what they use for big game fishing so is more than up to the job for carping uk and abroad, so much easier than tying knots aswell.

hi mate syndicates are pretty thin on the ground round this way, cotswold water park or oxford are your best bet. dont ignore the club tickets though some truly stunning fish to be had, not easy waters by any means but the rewards are there. if your looking for lakes on your doorstep theres some real nice waters locally on club tickets,not massive fish but if your after peace n quiet theyll certainly tick the right boxes. as said above the rivers are allways worth a shot,after the 2007 floods the local rivers got a good stocking from the lakes. if you need any more info drop me a pm.